Sensex steady; breadth recovering

The Sensex is now up 39 points at 9,074. Earlier in the day, the index opened 96 points lower at 8,939, touched a low of 8,922 in opening trades. The index, thereafter, rebounded into the positive zone and touched a high of 9,100.

DLF has soared nearly 5% to Rs 155. Reliance and Maruti have surged around 2.5% each to Rs 1,299 and Rs 612, respectively.

Jaiprakash Associates has gained 2% at Rs 69. Sterlite and ACC have moved up 1.5% each to Rs 258 and Rs 554, respectively.

Tata Motors, BHEL, NTPC and Bharti Airtel are up over 1% each at Rs 133, Rs 1,398, Rs 176 and Rs 640, respectively.

HDFC has plunged over 4% to Rs 1,373. ICICI Bank has tumbled over 3% to Rs 373.

Mahindra & Mahindra has dropped nearly 3% to Rs 290. Reliance Infrastructure has shed 2% at Rs 508.

SBI has declined 1.5% to Rs 1,084. HDFC Bank and Hindalco are down 1% each at Rs 871 and Rs 42, respectively.

The market breadth has recovered partially - out of 2,321 stocks traded so far, 1,239 have declined, 971 have advanced and the rest are unchanged.